LET THE MUSIC BEGIN!

Saturday, November 22, 2014Lots 1-312

November 22, 2014 in New York City, NY


An old French children’s game, En Avant la Musique, graces the back cover and serves as the theme of the auction - “Let the Music Begin!” Exceptional dolls from private collections are featured ranging from French firms of Bru, Jumeau, Schmitt, Steiner, and others, and highlighted by the extremely rare Jumeau art character 201, of which only one other example is known to exist. The great diversity of the 350 wonderful dolls in a harmonious concert with one common theme: the superb condition and originality of each doll. 9" x 9". Softbound. 160 full-color pages.

Live Auction

Showing 1 - 312 of 312

Extremely Rare French Bisque Art Character,Model 201,by Emile Jumeau

Extremely Rare French Bisque Art Character,Model 201,by Emile Jumeau

Lot #17

24" (61 cm.) Bisque socket head with strongly-defined oval-shaped face,large brown glass paperweight inset eyes,thick dark eyeliner with glazed highlights,dark painted curly lashes,rich dark rose eye shadow,thick brush-stroked and feathered brows,shaded nostrils of rounded tip nose,closed mouth modeled as though open in very wide beaming smile with defined tongue and row of beaded teeth,impressed dimples in cheeks and above upper lip,separately-modeled pierced ears,brunette hand-tied human hair wig in long braids over cork pate,French composition and wooden fully jointed body,antique burgundy silk and velvet dress with matching velvet bonnet,undergarments,maroon stockings,French leather shoes. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: 201 (incised) Depose Tete Jumeau Bte SGDG 11 (and artist checkmarks on head) Jumeau Medaille d'Or Paris (body). Comments: Emile Jumeau,circa 1892,from his "Series Fantastique". Only two examples of this extremely rare doll are known to exist today. (See pages 159-160 of this catalog for more information about this remarkable early art character series). Value Points: probably the rarest art character doll existing today,its rarity rivaled only its exemplary sculpting,characterization,artistic painting,and by its very fine original state of preservation. From the private collection of the late Violet Mackemull of Bethesda,Maryland,where the doll resided for nearly a half century.

 
Outstanding German Bisque Art Character,Karl,Model 107,Kammer and Reinhardt

Outstanding German Bisque Art Character,Karl,Model 107,Kammer and Reinhardt

Lot #34

22" (55 cm.) Bisque socket head with elongated slender face portraying an older child,painted brown eyes that are slightly side glancing,thick black upper eyeliner,one-stroke tapered brows,strong nose with accented nostrils,closed mouth with very full lips in solemn expression,sculpted ears,brunette mohair wig,composition and wooden ball-jointed body. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: K*R 107 55. Comments: Kammer and Reinhardt,circa 1910,from their art reform character series. The model was sculpted by the renowned German artist,Arthur Lewin-Funcke,based upon his original bronze sculpture "Portrait of a Boy"; the identity of this famous sculptor was not known until 1991 when research in German archives by Jurgen and Marianne Cieslik made the important discovery. The doll firm and the sculptor had deliberately kept their alliance private as the doll enterprise was considered a commercial endeavor and,as Cieslik noted,"Lewin-Funcke had taken his secret of being the father of the character doll movement to his grave in 1937" (German Doll Studies,page 227). The doll was marketed under the name "Karl",although few examples of this larger size were ever made. Value Points: sought after and extremely rare doll,this example with exemplary and flawless bisque,sculpting,and painting,original wig,body and body finish,and wearing superb antique gentleman's black formal wear suit including jacket with tails,matching vest,shirt with stickpin and boutonnniere,top hat,socks and shoes.